The Fourth Bluff collaborative is looking to grant residents up to $20,000 to fund community programs Downtown near the river.
The “Fuel the Fourth Bluff” Community Fund is meant for project or programs “that can activate public space to make them places that bring people of diverse backgrounds together, that foster civic engagement and environmental stewardship, and that add value to community,” according to the Fourth Bluff website.
The local Fourth Bluff collaborative is a piece of the national Reimagining Civic Common initiative. Memphis is one of five cities that received a total of $4 million to invest in shared public assets. To date, those funds have helped create the River Garden and River Line, as well as other activations and programs like RiverPlay and the Fourth Bluff Ice Rink.
[pullquote-1]
Now, the Fourth Bluff wants to give Memphians a share of $100,000 in order to fund “fresh ideas and programs.” Grants will be distributed in $1,000, $5,000, $10,000, and $20,000 amounts.
Anyone from artists and activists, to students and entrepreneurs, to organizations and corporations, is encouraged to apply. However, the proposed programs must take place within the Civic Commons footprint — an approximate six-block area, roughly bordered by Main, Mud Island, Jefferson, and Monroe. Projects can also take place on the River Line between the Beale Street Landing and the A.W. Willis Bridge.
The Fourth Bluff
Map of the Fourth Bluff
The projects also have to meet one of the Civic Commons’ four goals: civic engagement, value creation, socioeconomic mixing, and environmental sustainability.
Applicants will be chosen by a group of community reviewers who will select proposals for “imaginative programs that advance one or more of the goals of the civic commons. We’ll also be looking for innovation and ensuring the applicant has the capacity to produce the requested program.”
Selected programs, including one-time events and series, could kick off as soon as April and wrap up in October.
Applicants can apply here before Monday, March 18th. There will also be a public Q&A session about the opportunity Tuesday (today) at 6 p.m. at 409 South Main.
